The family of a San Diego man is mourning over his death after the vehicle he was riding in was hit head-on by a van driven by an 83-year-old driver. Fernando Julio Sanchez, 25, was ejected and killed following the impact which sent Sanchez and a dozen others tumbling, as the truck they were riding in overturned. Also killed was the elderly driver whose van crossed the yellow divide to impact with the truck in which Sanchez was a passenger.
Of the dozen traveling in the truck, 8 were critically injured. The truck was a box-style fire truck that rolled more than 150 feet. The men were thrown from the vehicle, landing painfully onto the pavement. The men were all members of a crew of firefighters being accompanied by a Los Angeles county fireman. Sanchez did not die fighting a fire; but Sanchez was a hero at the time of his death non-the-less. Every firefighter is a hero.
The fact that Sanchez and the rest of his crew were serving a court-ordered sentence at the time Sanchez was killed is a fact with little relevance. The reality is that when men go to camp where they are trained to fight wildfires, this is what they become. Sanchez was a firefighter.
Men who sleep on the side of a mountain in order to continue battling the blaze of a wildfire when they awake once again are men who know that there is no such thing as being an “almost firefighter” any more than it is possible for a woman to be “almost pregnant.” It is just one of the all-or-nothing things in life. This is why inmates who are trained to fight fires must undergo the same feats of endurance, strength, and perseverance that every American firefighter is trained for.
Firefighting is not for weak Americans. There is the kind of stress on a firefighter’s heart that is something akin to being in combat when a team of firefighters tackle such a threat to life. What some of these men will take away once the fire dies is the image of wild rabbits running ablaze. This is the sight that broke my own father’s heart more than once as he explained to me how he had no other choice but to hit an animal with his shovel hard enough to put it out of its misery rather than watch it suffer as it died. Anyone who knows a cat-lover, such as my dad was, might be able to imagine how a six-foot-four man could be hurt watching a tiny creature suffer.
There was another story in recent years about a fire crew doing time when a wild fire roared around them. This particular crew had been ordered to stand down and remain at their camp site while other crews rolled out to attack the flames that particular day. By nightfall two men were dead after the fire chose to take a path toward the campsite.
It can naturally be imagined that those strong men hugged each other in the hours following the loss of their friends and crew mates. What San Diegans might be surprised to know is that guards were hugging prisoners on that sad day; because when an inmate takes on the role of firefighter, the fact that he is also incarcerated is incidental.
Family and friends of Sanchez may find comfort in knowing that the man they loved died while being a firefighter. The fact that he was incarcerated is merely incidental. Californians know what it means to live with the threat of wildfire just as America knows what it means to live with the threat of terrorism. The same thanks that we give to members of the military is the appreciation that Californians owe to the memory of Sanchez.
Thank you Fernando Sanchez for the sacrifices you made in order to be trained to fight fires and thank you to the rest of your crew who will hopefully heal and continue doing what they have committed themselves to do, without you. A previous article mentioned that no inmates escaped following this crash.
What that writer did not understand is that, at the time of the crash, escape was not on the minds of these men - whom we can bet were as concerned with the injuries of one another as much as they feared the extent of their own injuries – because when this crash occurred, each of these men was a firefighter first and a convict second. We would not expect our firefighters to run from the scene of an accident. It should come as no surprise to anyone that none of these men ran away from the site where Sanchez died.
To those who loved Sanchez and to all those men and women who train hard to fight fires and protect life and land in California; this article is meant to extend to you respect and appreciation. In California many men and women are locked up for being on the wrong side of the War on Drugs. With the careful supervision of the California Department of Forestry, these men and women become much more than someone convicted when they are released. Every firefighter is a hero.
Comments
Of my parents six children, Nando was the youngest. However at times he still managed to stand the tallest. This is all still unreal to us and this is not how my little brother should be coming home. There have been many articles written since the incident that have included information that could have been excluded. My baby brother was a firefighter first while at Camp 14. He was also someones son, brother, nephew, cousin & friend. Our family is thankful for the tribute that everyone is paying to Fernando. We ask that all comments continue to be positive, and please keep the back-handed compliments to yourselves.
Thank you all again for paying homage to my little brother. If anyone has questions, please feel free to email me at cinasanchez@aol.com.
I love you little brother, see you when you get home...
Very well put. Our (everyone who loves and respects Chunky) deepest sympathy to the family. May you find the strength to get through this awful tragedy. You are in our prayers and we know your little brother, son, grandson,cousin, nephew and friend's legacy will live on forever. Those who judge will be judged too. Please ignore all negative comments for they come from those who are as well ignorant, heartless and disrespectful. Rest in peace Nando.
Rest In Peace Nando. People who write negative comments are struggling with their own understanding of what is right in life, therefore they redirect their negative energy. The family is going thru a tough time and we are all here for support. God Bless Chunky and his wonderful strong family. Nando is now resting with his grandma and grandpa...
I want to express my deepest condolences to the Sanchez Family! My limited gift and knowledge for words cannot clearly express my heartfelt sympathy I have for the Sanchez Family, but I will do my best!
I grew up very close to the Sanchez Family in my early years. I was blessed to be a part of their lives and learn firsthand from the Sanchez household what the phrase “close nit” really meant. They have a family bond like no other, one that I will forever hold close and dear to my heart. I cannot begin to say for one second I understand their loss, because I don’t, but I will pray that god will bring ease to their hearts and soften others hearts when they speak of “Nando”! No one gets through life with a clean slate and I truly see no purpose in casting stones on a fallen hero, “our hero” Fernando Sanchez.
If any of the people (media) that had spoken negatively of “Nando” (when announcing the tragedy of his death) had the opportunity to be present for his services, would be in total disbelief!! It was the most AMAZING service I have ever heard of, in honor of a “kid” that grew up in little ole Encanto, and NOT in the public’s eye! His services by far will surpass those that think they “have it all” or feel they have lived on the “right side of the tracks”. He was a hero, ask anyone that had the pleasure of knowing him and worked by his side fighting fires.
“Nando” will never be forgotten and his “FIRE” for life will burn on….
Much love to Isabel, Chunky and kids!
Deirdre
I want to send to the Sanchez family my aloha,sympathy and regards im sorry for you loss.It makes me proud to have known that fernando was a firefighter doing such a good service for the people.But that doesnt surprise having grown up in the same area as him and his family whom weve known for years that also do for the community like no else ive known Chuncky and Isabel you have always been good to me and my family i love you both very much im so sorry for your loss, sometimes i want to question the work of the one upstairs but he knows why the work is done in the order that is so i have to continue to trust and have faith and know that your sons in good hands.again i send you and your family all my love and Aloha,Dominic
I had the pleasure of knowing Nando my entire life. Elementary school, little league baseball, football, in our community, etc...and being the eldest of three sons, I had far and few "positive" examples to model my behavior after. So i chose a very select number list of persons of whom i would look up to, Fernando Sanchez was one of them!! Whether it was how i grew my hair, carried myself, dressed....or even how i play 3rd base! A large part of it was from watching Nando. I never really did realize this was the case until this Model Citizen was snatched away us all. Some may not see it in the fashion that i do; but if you took the time out to be more compassionate, you will ALL see that Fernando Sanchez was THIS. Nothing can be said to alter or change this fact!! Lord WIlling, we are all able to appreciate what type of person Fernando was, and remember him for what he TRULY was. a Son, Brother, Cousin, Nephew, and Friend...My Friend, OUR Friend!!
To the Sanchez, I Love You all and i express my deepest condolences to you and yours.
May the Drums carry you Home, Fernando Sanchez.... until we meet again.
Thank you Corrina for a lovely article! It is with great sadness and regret that I have learned of this tragedy at such a late date. I would have loved nothing more than to be present during the services for a young man surely destined for great things. I haven't seen Chunky or Isabel in years but when I think about the times I did spend around them I can still feel the warmth of loving and giving friends. I am so sorry for their loss. My sincerest and deepest sympathy goes out to all of Fernando's familia. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
You are welcome, Isabel!
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